Our vision:

All children are respected and supported in their own developmental needs.

The Bay of Islands Waldorf Education Trust was formed in 2003, but its beginnings were founded several years earlier, in the home of Mrs. Annaliese Bergman at Mahoe Farm.

Mrs. Bergman’s grandchildren needed a larger indoor play area and these children, together with others, including those of Pip and Johnny Ryan, formed the very first playgroup.

Ingrid Wubben brought her handcraft and organisational skills to the group, contacting other Rudolf Steiner playgroups regarding format, songs and stories.

A public talk from Marjorie Theyer, Kindergarten Adviser to the Federation of Rudolf Steiner Waldorf Schools in New Zealand, gave greater impetus to the group, which started regular meetings in 2001. Marjorie Theyer also made several other valuable visits to advise on the logistics, and pitfalls, of setting up a Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten and eventual school.

At this time, younger children continued in the playgroup at Mahoe Farm and older children met at Ingrid Wubben’s house in Waikaramu Road. When the adjacent cottage became available to rent, the newly-formed Trust realized that separate accommodation in a garden setting would be ideal for the aims of the Trust. Landlord Tony Bew gave sympathetic and flexible rental terms and helped the Trust set up computer programmes for funding and other administration, funding by this time coming from the Ministry of Education, C.O.G.S. and the A.S.B., all diligently researched by Ingrid Wubben.

Dinah Lawrence, treasurer to the Trust and a Rudolf Steiner teacher, and Ingrid Wubben were the backbone of the playgroups at this time, helped by enthusiastic parents.

For the preliminaries during the setting up of the Trust, we thank local lawyer Graham McLelland, who talked the earliest potential trustees through the legal jungles of trusts and trusteeship. To Graham, and to our honorary accountant John Patterson, go our grateful thanks.

A second playgroup, the Piwakawaka Playgroup, was set up in St. James Hall, Kerikeri. Currently these two playgroups have combined and meet at a beautiful midway venue, Manoah Hall, 1188 State Highway 10, up the drive just past Kerikeri Organic.

This beautiful space, modified according to the ideas of Rudolf Steiner and situated in a biodynamic garden and orchard, is rented from Tony Achtzehner, who is the current Trust treasurer.

The Trust is also negotiating the lease of land for a future kindergarten or school on nearby land owned by Marty Robinson, a longtime supporter of the Trust. A hut and outdoor play equipment are already on this land and are used for crafts and outdoor play and adventure.

Many wonderful people, including the inspirational Hannah Eichler, who recently returned to Tasmania, have given time, energy, financial support and expertise to the aim of the Trust, which is to bring Rudolf Steiner schooling to the children of Northland.